What makes a market attractive for M&A?
For cross-border buyers, predictability matters more than simplicity.
Dealmakers can navigate demanding regulatory frameworks when the rules are clear, consistent, and unlikely to change mid-transaction.
If you don’t have stability and predictability, then buyers will be less willing to put their hands in their pockets and investors will be less willing to invest.
Andrew Edge Partner, U.K.
Which markets make transatlantic M&A easiest?
% of dealmakers rating each market’s regulatory environment as conducive to transatlantic M&A:
Our survey identified the U.K. as having the regulatory environment best suited to transatlantic M&A, with 61% of respondents rating it “conducive”. Close behind was the U.S. at 59%.
The European picture demonstrates the need for greater unity between the various European markets. France received the lowest “conducive” rating at 50%, followed by Germany at 52%. A stronger alignment between EU FDI and competition clearance processes would allow lawyers to present Europe as a single entity with a single set of rules.
How the U.K. is viewed on either side of the Atlantic
of U.S. respondents rate the U.K.’s regulatory environment as conducive’
of U.K. respondents rate the U.K.’s regulatory environment as conducive
How to preserve the deal dividend
Although our economic research suggests that an M&A transaction’s bolstering effect on GDP is limited to the quarter when the transaction took place, individual jurisdictions and regulators have a role to play in developing an economic environment where these gains are maximized and not simply allowed to taper away.
Because the GDP effect depends on maintaining an active dealmaking environment rather than raising the underlying growth rate, it is critical that completion rates remain high. Known friction points, including FDI screenings, need to be turned into predictable, plannable costs rather than open-ended risks.
The other challenge is sustaining the economic benefits after completion. Deals can support further R&D, hiring, and capital expenditure, and policymakers can strengthen that investment through supportive tax and regulatory conditions.
The real value creation happens inside the acquired business, through revenue, productivity, and hiring gains, but builds up over the following 24 months, too slowly to register as a second GDP spike.
Emma Danks Partner, Head of U.K. Corporate Team
Attorney advertising. The information contained herein is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. Winston Taylor N.V. and WS SELAS are part of the Winston Taylor network as separate legal entities operating from its offices in the Netherlands and Belgium and France, respectively. Further information on Winston Taylor can be found on our regulatory page at: www.winstontaylor.com. Winston Taylor LLP Headquarters: 300 N. LaSalle Drive Chicago, IL 60654-3406. Phone: +1 (312) 558-5600.
© 2026 Winston Taylor LLP. All rights reserved.